Why Is Obasanjo Not Invited To The G8 Summit This Year?

I have read this morning in the papers that Obasanjo is not invited to the forthcoming G8 summit in Russia while South Africa´s president is invited. Obasanjo has always been invited to the G8 summits and suddenly the inviation has been turned down. Is it because of Chinese interest in Nigeria ? What is behind this? It is really a bit strange. How can South Africa be more important than Nigeria

Obasanjo was a military head of state of Nigeria at about the ag of 40 when he voluntarily handed over power to civilians. He has no history of being a sit tight president. After handing over power to civilians with a triving economy and about $6billion ectrnal reserve, the politicians destroyed the economy and he was asked to save the country in 1999. he had no interest in governing Nigeria but was invited to lead the PDP to power. Now he had done the job of getting Nigeria out of debt and with an external reserve of $35 billion, the biggest ever achieved by an African counrty including South Africa, the politicians want him out. Obasbanjo may not follow western ettiquette but he has delievered Nigeria from shame of being a debtor nation. Babaginda had a toothy smile and also handsome but ran Nigeria into debt and corruption. The only redeeming thing done by Babangida was to persuade OBJ to come back and rule Nigeria. Obj has learn his lesson and is not in a hurry to hand over to the same cabal that destroyd Nigeria in the first instance.

Western nations have their own interest to protect and we have to do what is good for our own country. Is it democracy that is being established in Iraq? Hamas won the Palestian election but the west is using economic power to overturn the decision of the electors.

OBJ is the first Nigerian President to tell western oil companies that they have to invest in other areas of Nigerian economy if they want oil. For example, Shell is now building a 1000kw power station as result and Agip has just built a 500kw power station. These western companies are only interested in taking the oil and nothing else. OBJ is now using what we have to ger what we want. So why will the western nations want him to continue?

The question I like to ask is who stands to benefit or loose if OBJ goes for third time?

Talking about South Africa, we should not forget that South Africa was developed by white people before blacks took over with the help of a country like Nigeria. Obasanjo also played a big part in this respect. Democractic institutions have been well established by whites before blacks took over. OBJ is begining to reform Nigeria and build the national institutions we need to sustain democracy and he deserves our support.

As for the niger delta militias. I do believe that the people of Niger delta have had a raw deal and suffered from criminal neglect over the years. These militias are however using the suffering of the people for their selfish ends. They have engaged in stealing crude oil called bunkering since 1995 but nobody paid serious attention. The money made was used to enrich themselves and buy weapons to defend their operational zones. They began to talk about the suffering of Niger delta people when OBJ decided to clamp down on the stealing of crude oil.

Some of their customers are Russian pirates arrested last year in Nigeria. President Putin of Russian ordered OBJ to release them but he refused and insisted that they go through trial at Nigerian courts. So no wonder Putin does not want to invite OBJ to the G8 summit.

As someone stated, Nigeria is not party of G8-- so it is not a must that we are invited. I'm sure the G8 has an agenda they want to promote each time they meet, and different countries will be invited depending on their role in fulfilling that agenda.

In terms of importance to Africa though, Nigeria is key. Look at the roles we played in resolving the Sudanese and Liberian conflicts. South Africa played a role as well, but we certainly also played ours. And if for nothing else, our oil makes us important to the west. Afterall, who ever thought that some ijaw boys rioting in the delta could hit Americans in their pockets?

Thats not the worse he has done on BBC and CNN, he is not a good rep atall. if you watch the commonwealth summit in austria, you would see that only obj brought a very big diary to the hall, for what? just to deliver speech when every other Presi has their small note in the suit pocket. That man is not learned atall imagine obj pronouncing "Reasonable" as "Reasonableness" on BBC, if you watch that Pope Burial in Isreal you would see obj yawning like a mad cow because he is not use to standing and less than five minuites e is already yawning. No proper training, just military mentality.

@ Me,Myself, I wont be suprised about your comment,,, you dont seem to be well informed. For you not to be aware that nigeria is not part of the G8 is enough to tell why you think obj should go for a third term! Ask them in kenya how nairobi became one of the most beautiful cities in Africa! if you dont know, i ll help you,,, they gave change a chance!

and has obj said anyfin bout contestin 4 a third term? i havent heard him say dat, i've just heard alot of speculations and if he's contestin 4 a 3rd term, i fink all Nigs shld support him cuz he's done ALOT for Nig, i mean, fink back.

by the way this has been really informative.

by the way, what have you got against the poor guy? human beings r NEVA satisfied!

and wat is wrong wit this Niger-delta militants? i fink they r just tots wit excess adrenaline!

Obasanjo's non-invitation would still stand irrespective of Cheney's outburst against Russia.Don't forget Russia's position in the G8 has been the subject of dispute due to Putin's alleged authoritarian tendencies so Russia will be loath to invite a President who is accused of similar tendecies.

I think it will take more than a non-invitation to a talk shop to dissuade Obasanjo to desist from pursuing a 3rd term.But every little helps.

@my2cents, I totally agree and I'm pleased that obj achieved his main goal regarding Nigeria's debt to the Paris club. However I disagree with the second statement and think it is biased and uncalled for (Opinions are to be discussed not dismissed). You make out like there is no oil left in Nigeria, OK there is a real problem in the delta region but don't forget offshore. Nigeria is blessed with so much oil, it's practically floating on the black gold.

The issue is an extremely difficult one, Nigerian's feels that other countries only get involved with Nigeria because of there oil. Now this is not entirely true in my opinion. I do admit it is a big factor however, in my book it always returns down to present and past leaders of Nigeria. Deals are signed and agreed by all parties before exploration and production starts. So if the money from the sales is not put back into the country whose fault is it? Is it the oil companies or the leaders? I spent 5 years working in the delta for SPDC and I have seen the money that is being paid to the local communities, we are not talking about a few dollars here.

I don't want to make out that shell is everything, it's not. I am merely stating my beliefs. I look forward to hearing your response as I often find your posts informative.

Much Respect.

It's business afterall. I don't claim to know too much about the history of Nigeria, I am more than willing to learn as my wife is Nigerian.

Nigeria is not a member of G8 and they choose whoever they want but one thing is certain, the world respects a presi who can manage its territory and disasters, naija is so loose and i bet obj can cause more harm to the g8 than neccessary.

So its beta them leave him to keep on clamouring in secret for third term. its about no chinese visit or trade. its simply because that man called obj is silly and he is a thief just like mugabe. and for person wey dey compare south africa or america with nigeria, u are making a big mistake ooo. cause america reps a countinent while SA rep. the south or part of d continent.

- He went at first so as to convince the G8 folks of the need for Nigeria to be unburdened of her debt. I believe we just made our last payment. In other words, goal achieved. No need attended further.

- They only invited him when they wanted something from him, as in oil. Now that they have achieved their purpose, like an orange, after sucking it dry and eating the pulp, they have tossed him out the window.

dude, Constantin, whats all that hypocritcal rambling about? Ooh pls! why are you trying to put Obj up as some saint with the evil he's shelling out to his country?

Why all of a sudden Chinese's president is such a big deal? He was in USA shortly before he went to Nigeria, he was in Canada earlier. so whats the fuss about that?

Yall need to check for more important issue than sheding light on matters that doesnt count. Chinese president's visit is such a bologne. Check with issues like the most-hyped "Third term", "Kidnapping of Westerners in the NigerDelta", "Corruption", "Human rights".

When you have such important issues that matters to the G-8 leaders, why would you be crying crocodile tears over Juntao's visit? abegi

3. Face facts, South Africa is ten times more developed than Nigeria is (if you consider Nigeria as a developing nation).

At least in SA, vice presidents can be arrested and prosecuted for molest. In Nigeria, Govt officials have no shame, they quarell openly and yet do not have the honor to step down when the ovation is loudest. If Obasanjo is to be invited, then Mugabe should be invited too since both are doing the very same thing; altering their countries constitutions (albeit in the name of God) to suit their own selfish agendas.

The lack of invitation is an indirect way of saying - WE NO LONGER RESPECT YOU!

you are not jealous of south africans are you? i understand that obj's invitation is usuall that means there's got to be a reason why he's not invited maybe they think he's not the only press in africa or maybe they are sick of his ideas or maybe not